Cloud Computing

Everyday, technology is making all of our lives even easier. This is clearly the case for cloud computing. Cloud computing, put simply, is an easy way to access computer data or software through an established computer network. For example, if a computer was on a network that implements cloud computing, you could start and use Microsoft Word from your local computer, even if it was not currently installed. A good analogy for cloud computing is the way that consumers interact with an electric company. Consumers feed off of the electric company and do not have to rely on creating their own energy. Although cloud computing is not a brand new feature, it still is unknown to a majority of computer users.

Businesses and schools are huge advocates of cloud computing and depend on it on a daily basis. Now that local area networks are combined with higher levels of bandwidth, it is now a viable option to locate data on other networks and run software that is not currently installed on the local computer. Cloud computing now successfully eliminates the needs of software installation and upgrade hassles. Not only does this save companies and users a lot of their time, it is also is much less stressful on everyone. Everyone from schools, businesses, and home users are jumping on the cloud computing bandwagon.

There are multiple providers for cloud computing that are available to the average user, as well as businesses. Salesforce.com is considered to be one of the elite leaders in this field. Unlike many competitors, they actually allow first time users to try before they buy, with a free trial. Your second option for a cloud computing supplier is vmware.com. If you would consider cloud computing a viable option for your home or business, you should visit salesforce.com

What is Cloud Computing Used for?

Cloud Computing is a term that is often heard today. Everywhere in the media there are mentions of The Cloud and what it can do for your and your business. But, what is cloud computing used for? The answer lies in what this form of computing actually is.

You can buy software to perform many millions of functions, and load it on your computer. This is the standard method for using software. You have to physically install the software either by running an executable or install program from a disc, or downloading the install portion from the web or a server.

Once the program is installed you run it from your computer hard drive, and save related files to your computer also. For example, if you develop a web page with software that is installed on your computer, you then save the files to the computer and upload the web page to the internet server, when it is ready.

Using the Cloud you can develop a web site with online software, save it to the online server and publish it to the web when it is ready. Other than saving backup files on your local machine, no software actually has to be installed on it. This eliminates the installation process, the storage, and the possibility of a crashed computer losing the data for what you have created.
This saves money and time. You can own a minimal computer, possibly one that only has a web browser, and still have the ability to do a wide variety of computing. This puts a lot of computing power in situations where it might not be possible or practical otherwise. The Cloud can be accessed from Smart Phones, Tablets, PCs, Macs and truly any machine that can get onto the Internet.

You can use the Cloud to work with spreadsheets, documents, presentations, picture editing, illustrations and graphics, as well as social networking, videos, music and many, many more functions, which grow and become more varied daily. Many are free, and all are easily accessed.